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Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

I wouldn't be shocked by anything from a first round exit to an Elite Eight appearance.

Right now I've got you guys going out against Marquette, but like you I wouldn't be shocked by anything.

Just in general this is probably one of the most, if not the most difficult time I can remember having with predicting a bracket. It has really been a *****.

My final 4 in the bracket I finished is Louisville, Wisconsin, Georgetown, and IU, but I honestly don't even know how I really got there. Especially with Gtown and Wiscy, they were just kind of there. So much inconsistency from teams or I guess you could just spin it as a lot more good teams that a lot of these picks are really tough.

Heck, I had no idea how bad Florida looks when you just draw them up on paper. Terrible rebounding team with no wins on the road or on a neutral court against top opponents. I have them losing in the first round right now just for ***** and giggles.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Stuff like this is why this program and staff are so easy to like. They are innovative in their own way but more importantly within the context of being innovative still do the job the right way and treat people the right way.

Sure beats the "lets live on the ragged edge of the recruiting rules and recycle our 5-star kids who likely won't evolve as a human being in the least during their time on campus" way of doing things. AKA "The Kentucky Way" or the "The Syracuse Way".

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

If we don't hit shots like we did against Bucknell, we won't beat Marquette. We have to get Clarke or Dunham going from outside because it makes this team so much better. Defense was outstanding however. I haven't seen anyone rotate that well in years.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Tomorrow's game will come down to the boards. We have a huge advantage against them rebounding-wise. Marshall, Smith, and Woods will be the keys. I'm optimistic because all 3 are playing way better than they did when we played them in November.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

The oustanding team defense and effort on the boards is a must but I also agree that in order to win today and keep dancing someone needs to step-up and hit a high % of perimeter shots. Clarke should be that guy. He is the senior and can figure out how to get open looks when he needs to. Smith could also surprise if the Marquette big men don't follow him out behind the arc. I don't see Dunham getting it done. His confidence is shot right now.

My gut feeling is that if the Dawgs can be within four at the 3-minute mark they will win today.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Defense just wasn't there in the second half and until the last 2-3 minutes it seemed like Marquette got every loose ball. The seniors basically let the team down at the end. Clarke forced things and Smith made mistakes.

In the second half of the year this team has really seemed to play tight against good competition. Probably because the talent wasn't as good as past teams and they felt the need to play perfect basketball.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Defense just wasn't there in the second half and until the last 2-3 minutes it seemed like Marquette got every loose ball. The seniors basically let the team down at the end. Clarke forced things and Smith made mistakes.

In the second half of the year this team has really seemed to play tight against good competition. Probably because the talent wasn't as good as past teams and they felt the need to play perfect basketball.

Seniors didn't let anyone down. That team wouldn't have even been in the game had it not been for Rotnei putting the team on his back in the first half, and Smith's solid play (including some clutch late free throws).

This is one of the tougher losses we've had because we played well enough to win, and it looked like we were with two minutes left to play. Credit Marquette for battling back, but it seemed like the usual breaks that we got in terms of loose balls, fortunate bounces, etc. in prior tourney runs all seemed to go Marquette's way last night.

Despite all that, we still had a chance to tie or take the go-ahead with 2 seconds left, but I don't know what happened on that inbounds play...but it was awful.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Seniors didn't let anyone down. That team wouldn't have even been in the game had it not been for Rotnei putting the team on his back in the first half, and Smith's solid play (including some clutch late free throws).

This is one of the tougher losses we've had because we played well enough to win, and it looked like we were with two minutes left to play. Credit Marquette for battling back, but it seemed like the usual breaks that we got in terms of loose balls, fortunate bounces, etc. in prior tourney runs all seemed to go Marquette's way last night.

Despite all that, we still had a chance to tie or take the go-ahead with 2 seconds left, but I don't know what happened on that inbounds play...but it was awful.

Notice I said at the end. I'm not questioning them as human beings or even basketball players. Overall they both had a good tournament. Problem is the difference between winning and losing a close tournament game for a team with underwhelming depth and talent is usually how well the 4-year type guys keep their poise and execute at the end. It happens. Especially against good, fundamentally sound teams like Marquette.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Notice I said at the end. I'm not questioning them as human beings or even basketball players. Overall they both had a good tournament. Problem is the difference between winning and losing a close tournament game for a team with underwhelming depth and talent is usually how well the 4-year type guys keep their poise and execute at the end. It happens. Especially against good, fundamentally sound teams like Marquette.

Rotnei Clarke was getting double teamed in the second half. He forced the airball shot because he was the only one that was hitting shots. It's just as much on the other guys, as it's on him. Smith also hit some big free throws late and had a huge layup from a Kampen hail mary pass. I'm sorry I'm not buying this. The team won and lost as a team, had nothing to do with the seniors not stepping up late or wilting under crunch time.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

Stevens is staying put at Butler. Can't say enough about the guy and his loyalty. Loyalty is a forgotten thing in sports these days(all about money for most people) so this shows just how classy he is.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

He has a chance to build something great at Butler University. You have one of the best cities in the country, one of the best basketball talent pools to recruit from in the Midwest, and the Fenway Park of College Basketball in Hinkle Fieldhouse to play in. It shows he's not about the money nor the prestige, he's about building something special himself.

Re: 2012-2013 Butler Basketball

He has a chance to build something great at Butler University. You have one of the best cities in the country, one of the best basketball talent pools to recruit from in the Midwest, and the Fenway Park of College Basketball in Hinkle Fieldhouse to play in. It shows he's not about the money nor the prestige, he's about building something special himself.

And Butler is no longer a mid major with their impending move to the new Big East. Why leave a major conference job where you are having success?